Ericsson and Tigo partner with GSMA to connect the unconnected in rural Tanzania

The Ericsson Radio System provides first-time mobile broadband subscribers with quality services Tigo is known for

Tigo will enjoy energy efficiency gains of up to 40 percent in network operations

Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC, news, filings) and leading Tanzanian mobile network operator Tigo have partnered to launch the first of a series of rural pilot tower sites to provide mobile broadband coverage in parts of the Lindi Mtwara region, a rural province where there was previously no connection.

This deployment is the offshoot of a pilot infrastructure-sharing partnership brokered by the GSMA with Tigo, the government of Tanzania, and two other major mobile network operators to connect the over 13 million underserved individuals living in rural parts of the country.

Sharing infrastructure and engaging the government on reduced taxes in these regions allows operators to reduce the cost of deploying mobile broadband networks in places where it was previously not viable to do so.

Tigo and Ericsson have set the pace in the partnership by launching the first active site based on the new generation, multi-standard Ericsson Radio System. The suite of solutions provides the capabilities needed to reduce total cost of ownership by up to 40 percent when rolling out Ericsson's total site solution for mobile broadband. This makes investments viable in markets with low average revenue per user.

The energy-efficient suites of solutions will also enable Tigo and their roaming partners to seamlessly identify underserved communities in the region, making it faster to introduce or improve the mobile broadband experience of their subscribers in these rural communities. This is the first commercial launch of this solution in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Jerome Albou, Chief Technical and IT Officer, Tigo Tanzania, says: "At Tigo, it is our mission to lead the adoption of the internet and a digital lifestyle in Tanzania. Access to mobile broadband will open these rural communities to previously elusive services such as mobile money, e-health, e-education and e-government, thereby transforming the way people play, learn and do business forever."

Jean-Claude Geha, Head of Region Sub-Saharan Africa, Ericsson, says: "We are strong advocates of the role of ICT to enable the realization of a new, universal set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our partnerships and solutions seek to bring the benefits of mobile technology to everyone in creating a more inclusive and sustainable world. With Tigo, we delivered the most sustainable and efficient mobile broadband solution capturing the needs of these specific, rural sites."

Anything can happen on the digital frontier, a promising but undiscovered future. From February 27 to March 2 in Barcelona, Spain, Ericsson is demonstrating a collaborative approach and innovative solutions to succeed in this arena.

With our customers and partners, we work across industries, physical boundaries and perceived limitations. Join us in Hall 2 or online during MWC 2017 and engage in conversations and demonstrations about our favorite things: 5G; platforms and services for IT, Cloud, Networks, and TV & Media; connected solutions for industries; the Internet of Things; and partnering for success.

Ericsson is a world leader in communications technology and services with headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden. Our organization consists of more than 111,000 experts who provide customers in 180 countries with innovative solutions and services. Together we are building a more connected future where anyone and any industry is empowered to reach their full potential. Net sales in 2016 were SEK 222.6 billion (USD 24.5 billion). The Ericsson stock is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and on NASDAQ in New York. Read more on www.ericsson.com.